After being frozen out of the national side for much of Craig Levein’s reign the striker would just be happy to get a call-up.

McCormack is back in the Leeds team and hitting the goal trail again in the Championship. And the 26-year-old would love to be named in Strachan’s first squad for the friendly against Estonia at Pittodrie next month.

While he believes Levein’s style of play failed to showcase the talented players at his disposal, McCormack is convinced Strachan can bring the best out of Scotland’s young starlets.

He insists with the likes of Robert Snodgrass, Graham Dorrans, Charlie Adam, Steven Naismith, Steven Fletcher and Jordan Rhodes all excelling in England that Scotland should be competing for a place at a major finals.

And he’s praying that with Strachan at the helm he can join that list of players and provide the backbone of the Scottish team for years to come.

McCormack told Record Sport: “I don’t know Gordon at all but most Leeds fans think I’m going to be the new Scotland captain because he used to play at Elland Road.

“Sadly, it doesn’t work like that! I’ve never met the gaffer but I’m just back in the team at Leeds and scoring goals again so hopefully I’ll be in his squad.

“Speaking to guys like Gary Caldwell and Scott McDonald, they rate him really highly. They’ve told me he’s great tactically and that can only help Scotland develop.

“We have a young core within the Scotland squad and Gordon can help us develop as a team. I look around the Scotland squad and feel we should be doing a lot better.

“When I see guys such as Snodgrass, Dorrans, Adam, Naismith, Rhodes and Fletcher, we should be doing more - without a doubt.

“But maybe the way it was under the previous manager didn’t suit the younger boys who are trying to develop. Fletch was out of the squad altogether, for example.

“This is a new lease of life for Scotland and boys like Jordan will be looking to stake a place in the team - not just the squad.

“We can really kick on and start doing big things again.”

McCormack started just one game under Levein as his club form was repeatedly ignored by the former Scotland boss.

He reckons he’s played well when given the opportunity and hopes to fulfil his international ambitions with Strachan in charge.

He said: “Craig had guys he trusted. I was playing well and scoring goals for Leeds but couldn’t get in his squad.

“That’s fine, every manager likes different players and styles. It was unfortunate I wasn’t involved more and didn’t really get a chance.

“When I did get in I thought I did well. I came on against Australia and scored at Easter Road so I was happy with that but it’s completely different now, everyone has a fresh start.

“With Gordon in charge I definitely think things will be better for the Scottish team in the long run.

“None of the players will give up on the World Cup in Brazil just yet but the next Euros, 2016 in France, is the big one for us.

“By the time the next batch of qualifiers come around, guys such as Rhodes will be a permanent fixture in the side. Hopefully, we’ll have really gelled by then under Gordon and we’ll be giving it a massive push to make it to France.”

McCormack may not have worked with Strachan before but his spell with new Scotland No.2 Mark McGhee at Motherwell was one of the most fruitful of his career.

He helped the Steelmen qualify for Europe before moving to Cardiff in 2008 and is adamant McGhee is tailor-made for the assistant role alongside Strachan.

And the striker revealed how his old boss transformed him during his spell at Fir Park.

He said: “When Mark turned up at Motherwell I wasn’t doing much.

“No one expected me to do anything there but Mark came in and told me I’d be his main striker. It just snowballed from there and I’d like to think I did well for him.

“He just gave me confidence and belief. Mark changed the way Motherwell played, we went to a 4-3-3 formation and had guys such as Chris Porter, David Clarkson and Steven McGarry in the side.

“We all bought into what he was doing right away. It’s a great appointment and the No.2 role for Scotland will be ideal for him.

“At Motherwell, I know the squad was always in good spirits. He kept the banter going and he’s perfect for this role with the national side. When things aren’t going well for Scotland it’s vital the players’ spirits are kept up. Mark will do that.

“I’m surprised he hasn’t gone on to bigger and better things in England. He’ll probably tell you himself that going to Aberdeen was a mistake.

“He went there because he was a legend at Pittodrie as a player.

“His heart ruled his head on that occasion but he’s still young and he’ll still have a good career in management.”